Wirtz's Dilemma, Merino's Hat-Trick, Portugal's Touching Moment

Welcome to The Briefing, a weekly segment by The Athletic discussing key football questions from the weekend.

The Premier League was on hold, and international matches were in focus, with no top-flight domestic action available. World Cup qualifying games provided entertainment, with England's performance under Thomas Tuchel being scrutinized.

Mauricio Pochettino's United States team faced a 2-0 loss to South Korea, with upcoming matches posing challenges. Portugal played emotionally after the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and his brother. Spain aimed to assert dominance in their match against Turkey.

Northern Ireland surprisingly led Group A, while Germany suffered a shock defeat to Slovakia. Nigeria faced Rwanda in a crucial match for World Cup qualification, with Arokodare's goal boosting their chances.

Germany's Florian Wirtz had a tough match against Slovakia but redeemed himself with a spectacular goal in the following game. Wolves secured Tolu Arokodare in a transfer deal, aiming to improve their performance.

Arokodare's goal for Nigeria against Rwanda elevated their position in the World Cup qualifiers. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a poignant goal for Portugal in memory of Diogo Jota. Spain's Mikel Merino shined as a makeshift striker in a dominant win over Turkey.

Greg O'Keeffe, a senior writer for The Athletic, covers US soccer players in the UK & Europe. With experience in sports journalism, he provides insights into various football events.